Extreme gravity: Geologic effects

Abstract

The maximum positive combined effect on the earth's gravity field of all geologic sources present in a given area, including any isostatic compensation, is limited by the ability of the lithosphere to support load. Bouguer gravity is one possible proxy for this effect. Bouguer maxima close to +350 mGal have been measured on Chichijima Island and Penrhyn Atoll in the Pacific Ocean. These may be the highest values anywhere on the planet. Suggestions of even higher values in the northernmost segment of the Colombian Andes rely on extrapolation of trends established in areas surrounding the Santa Marta Massif and must be treated with caution.